Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) assists veterans who entered active duty for the first time after July 1, 1985, and agreed to have their pay reduced by $100 for 12 months.

Eligible veterans must have received an honorable discharge, and active-duty personnel must have served at least two years.

Veterans and active-duty military personnel who were eligible for educational assistance under the Vietnam Era GI Bill (Chapter 34) on Dec. 31, 1989, may be eligible for Montgomery GI Bill benefits if they meet either of the two conditions:

they have served on active duty since Oct. 19, 1984, without a break in service and served three continuous years on active duty from June 30, 1985 - June 30, 1988

served two continuous years on active duty followed by four years in the selected reserves after June 30, 1985.

A break in service of 90 days or less during Oct. 19, 1984 - June 30, 1985, does not disqualify a veteran from benefit eligibility. However, a break in active duty of any length after June 30, 1985, does disqualify a veteran for Chapter 30.

Participants are not required to make contributions to the program. Certain veterans who voluntarily or involuntarily separate from active duty with an honorable discharge may choose to participate and make a $1,200 contribution to the Montgomery GI Bill program before separating from active duty. This includes veterans who may have participated in the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP - Chapter 32).

Active duty members may contribute up to an additional $600 to their Montgomery GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. An additional $600 contribution allows an additional $5,400 over a 36 month eligibility period. The "buy-up" program contribution must be made prior to leaving active duty and is only payable after leaving active duty.

Participants are allowed 36 months of full-time entitlement. Vietnam Era GI Bill eligible veterans have 36 months of entitlement or the amount of entitlement they have remaining from Chapter 34, whichever is less. Benefits must be used within 10 years from the active duty discharge date.

Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill Tuition Assistance Top-up

Tuition Assistance Top-up is available to active duty service members who are approved for federal tuition assistance and eligible for Chapter 30, the Montgomery GI Bill.

On Oct. 30, 2000 an amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill was signed into law, which permits the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay a Tuition Assistance Top-up benefit.

Prior to this law, all military branches could pay up to 75 percent of a service member's tuition and expenses through the Tuition Assistance program. Service members were required to pay the remaining tuition costs and could not receive Tuition Assistance and use their Montgomery GI Bill for the same course.

With the passing of the law, all military branches are allowed to pay 100 percent of the service member's tuition and expenses. When the military cannot or does not cover 100 percent of the tuition and expenses, a Montgomery GI Bill eligible service member can receive benefits for all or part of the remaining expenses.

Tuition Assistance Top-up reduces future entitlement to the Montgomery GI Bill, and service members should carefully consider their circumstances. For further information on Tuition Assistance Top-up, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Top-up payments are subject to the same limits that apply to Chapter 30 monthly benefits. For example, a student who receives Tuition Assistance for a course(s) that would be payable at the half-time rate for Chapter 30, could receive a Top-up payment equal to the cost of the course not covered by Tuition Assistance up to the amount payable for the half-time rate for the course period.

Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) provides assistance to veterans who have a service-connected disability of at least 20 percent and are in need of vocational rehabilitation.

Eligible veterans may be allowed up to 48 months of full-time benefits. Veterans generally have 12 years from the date they are notified of their program entitlement.

Veterans may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits if they are rated 10 percent disabled and have been identified as having a serious employment handicap.

Chapter 32 - Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Veterans must have been released under conditions other than dishonorable and must have voluntarily contributed to an educational fund through monthly pay reductions of $25 - $100, up to a maximum of $2,700. Contributions are matched at the rate of two dollars for each dollar contributed. Enrollment eligibility ended March 31, 1987.

Monthly benefits are available for the number of months the participant contributed or for 36 months, whichever is less. Program participants are allowed to request a refund of any remaining unused benefits.

Program eligibility expires 10 years from the veterans's discharge or release from active duty.

Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act

Important Note: Veterans waiting for their Post-9/11 payment should visit the GI Bill website's Advanced Payment Q&A for information about requesting an advanced payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 provides benefits to veterans who served active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001 and have served at least 90 aggregate days or have been discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

Under this bill, veterans may receive training benefits on or after Aug. 1, 2009. Benefits are not available for training pursued prior to that date.

Eligible training includes undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs pursued at a university or college that is authorized to grant an associate’s degree or higher.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

The bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Benefits are generally payable for 15 years following the veteran's active due release. Payments are based on the amount of service they completed after Sept. 10, 2001. Larger benefits are given to those who served more active duty or mobilization time.

Eligible veterans may receive a(n):

payment for tuition and fees sent directly to the university or college

monthly housing allowance*

annual book and supplies stipend of $1,000*

one-time rural benefit payment of $500

Maximum benefits are given to those who served an aggregate of 36 months or more of active duty service or after 30 days of continuous service, they were discharged for a service connected disability after Sept. 10, 2001. Veterans who served between 90 days and 36 months of aggregate active duty service, are eligible for a percentage of the maximum benefits.

*The housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable for those on active duty, enrolled as a half-time student or less and enrolled in distance learning.

Choosing Your GI Bill Benefits

Eligible veterans for Post-9/11 GI Bill and other GI Bills, such as the Montgomery GI Bill, are required to choose the benefit they wish to receive.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill may provide a better benefits package in terms of eligibility criteria, period of eligibility and financial value in comparison to current educational benefit programs.

For some veterans, the choice may be irrevocable. For this reason, it is important to review and compare the eligibility requirements and benefits for all other GI Bills. The best program depends on individual circumstances.

Chapter 35 - Survivors and Dependents Benefits

Survivors and Dependents Benefits (Chapter 35) provide educational benefits to spouses and children of veterans who either died while in service, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of their military service.

Survivors and dependents are allowed 45 months of full-time benefits. Spouses have 10 years from the date of the veteran's permanent and total disability rating effective date or the veteran's death. Dependents' benefits end on their 26th birthday or eight years from the veteran's permanent or total disability rating effective date or the veteran's death, but not after the dependent's 31st birthday.

On Dec. 23, 2006 an additional category of spouses and dependents were determined eligible for Chapter 35 benefits. The new category includes the spouse or dependent(s) of a veteran who the VA determines:

has a service connected 100 percent disability

is on active duty, hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care at the time of the determination

and, is likely to be discharged from service due to the service connected disability

Chapter 1607 – Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607) is available to veterans who are members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve and National Guard and were called to active service for war or a national emergency.

Eligibility is determined by the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security. Generally, a reservist who served active duty on or after Sept.11, 2001 for at least 90 days is eligible.

Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserves

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606) benefits are available to reservists who enlisted, reenlisted or extended an enlistment in the Selected Reserve for at least six years on or after July 1, 1985. For officers, the six-year period is in addition to any other obligated period of service.

A reservist is allowed 36 months of full-time benefits.

Eligibility for the program requires that reservists:

have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent

must have completed Initial Active Duty Training (IADB)

must be participating in training at the time benefits are used

Sections 901 and 903 - Department of Defense Educational Test and Pilot Program

Section 901 (Educational Assistance Test Program) and Section 903 (Educational Assistance Pilot Program) benefits are available to veterans whom the Department of Defense chose for participation from among those who enlisted between Nov. 30, 1980, and Sept. 30, 1981.
Participants are allowed 36 months of full-time benefits, which must be used within 10 years from the active duty separation date.

National Call to Service Program

The National Call to Service Program became effective Oct. 1, 2003. Eligibility for the program involves a three-tiered service requirement to be approved by the Secretary of Defense. Participating veterans have a choice of benefits that include:

a cash bonus

repayment of student loans

entitlement to educational benefits equal to the three year monthly Chapter 30 rate for 12 months

or, entitlement to educational benefits of 50 percent of the less than the three year monthly Chapter 30 rate for 36 months.

REPS - Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors

Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) may be available to certain survivors of deceased veterans in addition to Chapter 35 benefits.

Eligibility for these benefits is limited to unmarried full-time students between ages 18 - 22 whose parent died while on active duty before Aug. 13, 1981 or died from a service connected disability incurred before Aug. 13, 1981.

These benefits are similar to the benefits eliminated from Social Security. The benefit amount is based on information from the Social Security Administration.

Students who are applying for benefits for the first time must complete DVA form 21-8924, Application of Surviving Spouse or Child for REPS Benefits.

Tutorial Benefits

Students eligible for benefits under Chapters 30, 32, 1606 and 35 may be eligible for tutorial assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

To receive the benefit, a student must:

be enrolled for six semester hours or more

show deficiency in a course(s) required for their degree program

Eligible students may receive a maximum monthly payment of $100. The maximum total benefit is $1,200. There is no entitlement charge for the first $600 of tutorial assistance.

To apply, students must complete DVA form 22-1990t, Application and Enrollment Certification for Individualized Tutorial Assistance, and Carroll's Authorization of Tutorial Assistance form.

Work-Study Benefits

Students eligible for Chapters 30, 31, 32, 35 and 1606 benefits may be eligible to participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) work-study program.

To receive the benefit, a student must be enrolled for nine semester hours or more.

Students may work at DVA - approved sites for up to 400 hours during a semester. Payments are based on the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is greater.

To apply, students must complete DVA form 20-8691, Application for Work-Study Allowance, and mail it to their nearest Regional Office.

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